THE VENGEFUL HEIRESS

CHAPTER 3

~ CAMILLA ~

“Father can't do this to me.” I kept whispering to myself again and again.

But as I read the content of the mail over and over again, I realised father had done it.

I scrolled back to the first one he'd sent. It was him asking me how my honeymoon was going and how it's not compulsory that I reply immediately that I could reply anytime I'm free.

I'd turned on airplane mode at the time.

The second was him telling me he was worried and if I didn’t reply in twenty four hours, he would start a search party for a missing person.

The third was him asking me what in the world I'd done. I believe that was when he heard the news that his first daughter had cheated on her honeymoon.

I shouldn't have ran.

I shouldn't.

I should have confronted it. I was a… coward.

But what's done is done, and now, there's a particular feeling brewing in the depth of my soul. It tastes bitter and sour but it makes me calm. I couldn't place a name on what it was and I don't want to.

I'm done hiding.

And with that, I picked my phone and stepped out of the cottage. I locked the door and hid the key behind a flower pot near the door.

The highway was just a few minutes away from the cottage. I should be able to hail a cab.

_ _ _

I didn't wait for the cab to leave before turning to the gate of the Markham's mansion. The new security guards recognised me instantly. I could see them snickering as I walked on.

Well, I don't have the strength to confront empty headed men.

Some mocked me in hushed tones but I'm grateful that the one who opened the gate for me was silent.

I boarded one of father's cars and I was driven deeper into the grounds, towards the main mansion.

The door was opened by Maria, our head maid. She was also the one that raised me after my mother and father divorced. Her eyes watered when they landed on me, and I opened my mouth in a bid to offer an explanation even though I don't owe her one. She shook her head and just took my hand in hers as she led me towards the lounge area, wordlessly consoling me.

My mouth parted on their own accord when I saw Albert - I can recognise him from anywhere, even his backside - sitting while conversing with father, another man seated beside him.

“The lawyer is here.” Maria whispered as my eyes met hers.

I gulped.

Not because I felt intimidated but because his presence still stirred a part of me.

Was he here with the divorce papers just like he'd said?

Or maybe, just maybe?

“Oh, Camilla, you are here. After what? Two days?”

I turned to the direction of the voice I recognised as Ariana's. There's no way in hell I would forget that name afterall, I've had recurring nightmares about her mocking voice.

She was holding a tray filled with tea cups and a jug. I can feel piercing eyes on me but I fixed my gaze on her. She snickered as she brushed past me and settled the tray before Father whose gaze was fixed on me, disappointment in his eyes.

I sighed, “Father, I can explain.”

He leaned back into his seat and crossed his hands, watching me.

“Explain. Please do. I want to hear your lies just like the way your mother did.”

I stood rooted to the ground, my mouth parted in shock.

Ariana chuckling made me turn my gaze to her, still speechless.

“Maybe she's forgetting that we have proof. Albert was actually in tears when he called me to come see and I just happened to be there at that moment. I was even the one that told us to take some pictures because I know she'll deny.” She glanced at me over her shoulder, sneering. “Camilla is a pathological liar.”

“Pay her no mind, Ari.”

I took a step closer before settling on the long sofa, the lawyer on the other end, my gaze not leaving my Father.

This isn't the Father I'd grown to love, the Father I'd grown to adore. This.. just doesn't make sense.

I opened my mouth, about to speak when Albert shifted and tilted his chin to the lawyer who stood up and passed me the divorce papers and pen.

“And here, we have the divorce papers. I can't keep up with a cheating wife, Camilla.”

“Simply disgusting.” Ariana muttered under her breath.

I inhaled, refusing to cry as I opened the document, my eyes scanning its content before I lifted my head, anger coursing through my veins.

“I don't want your alimony.”

“I was just trying to help.”

“He's right.” Father finally said. “Since you'll be signing off your inheritance after that. Marriage was the ultimatum you had to meet but you failed and didn't even last a month in it.”

“I will sign the divorce papers.” I finally said. “Because I can't keep up with a lying and cheating husband either.”

Ariana let out an over dramatic gasp but I didn't even spare her a glance, my eyes unwavering from my Father who was watching me, apathy evident on his face.

“Aren't you thinking, Father? It's me. Camilla. Me! I could never do such a thing! They hired a man, I was framed. Ariana wanted Albert. They said I was a means to an end, a substitute! Didn't you think about it? The picture was suddenly posted under an anonymous account –”

“Hey, my phone was hacked!” Ariana said, standing up.

I dropped the papers and stood up, shooting her a harsher glare than she sent my way. “Shut up, liar. You said I was a means to an end. Both of you said it.”

She sighed dramatically, shifting her gaze to Father. “Don't listen to her. She's just acting like a cornered animal, spewing nonsense lies. Such an expert.” She spat those last words, her gaze fixed on me in condescension.

The last bit of energy burning in me was doused with invisible water at that point as I slowly sat, tears streaming down my face in anger, embarrassment, and disappointment.

I grabbed the pen with shaky hands as I flipped through the pages to the last page. Then, I signed it in silence and then, the next one too.

After that, I took my phone and stood up, about to leave.

“Wait.” Ariana called.

“You should thank Father for helping with the picture that was posted. He used his resources to help bring it down.”

“f**k you! f**k you to the depths of hell.”

I didn't wait for her response and didn't respond to the smug smile on her face before walking out of the house with fake calmness which soon withered, tears streaming down my face as soon as I stepped out of the house and boarded a cab.

I recognised what I was feeling now. It was hatred. Pure unbridled one.